Ford Evos Concept: A car that `knows’ its driver

Ford Evos Concept

A car that `knows’ its driver

With Ford’s introduction of the Evos Concept, I’m getting a feel of the types of vehicles on which future automotive journalists will be reporting. The focus may not be on a vehicle’s exterior and interior design, or on its performance, but on how well it adapts to the driver’s lifestyle.

“Our goal is to focus on enriching a customer’s every experience with their vehicle — by personalizing it, adapting it, and creating unique, unexpected features that surprise and delight them,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development.

The Evos Concept is designed to create an experience that enhances the driver’s time behind the wheel. The vehicle is part of a Ford research mission to tailor the driving experience — creating seamless connectivity between the vehicle and what Ford calls the driver’s “personal cloud” of information.

With information from the cloud, the vehicle can provide the same connected lifestyle the driver experiences at home or office. The car “knows” the driver, and automatically adapts handling, steering and engine controls to deliver an “exceptionally dynamic driving experience.”

Ford said it draws from a detailed understanding of the driver’s preferences and driving habits, and combines this personal information with additional data from the cloud, such as the driver’s work schedule and local traffic or weather conditions. This information provides a personalized and seamless experience as the driver transitions in and out of the car.

It could automatically play the same music or news program that was just streaming at home, or heat or cool the interior to an ideal temperature before the driver gets in — without having to be requested, by predicting departure time based on his calendar. Wirelessly communicating with devices in the home, it could close the garage door and switch off the lights automatically as it pulls away. It could recommend a great driving road from friends on your social networks or reset your alarm clock to let you sleep in when a morning meeting gets canceled.

Powering the Evos Concept is an advanced lithium-ion plug-in hybrid powertrain providing the same next-generation performance and fuel economy as the Ford C-MAX Energi scheduled for introduction in North America in 2012.

Ford reports its “powersplit” hybrid system allows the electric motor and gas engine to work together or separately to maximize efficiency. The powertrain typically runs in all-electric mode before switching to charge-sustaining hybrid mode for continued optimal fuel efficiency.

The cloud-optimized powertrain would automatically “know” when to save energy and switch modes, using information about the vehicle’s predicted travel route, any emission zone restrictions during the journey and current weather conditions.

Ford says the Evos Concept “represents the ultimate expression of Ford’s new global design language.” Its key design elements will be applied to upcoming Ford vehicles.

“We wanted the Ford Evos Concept to give a clear message about where Ford design is heading — shaping vehicles that are fun to drive, have a strong premium visual appeal, and above all, are stunningly beautiful,” said J Mays, group vice president, Design and chief creative officer.

It has a dramatic fastback design and a four-door, four-seat layout that Ford says is visually pleasing and practical. It has the length (177 inches) of a typical C-car (i.e. Focus), but with width of a CD-car (large cars such as the European Mondeo). The forward position of the cowl, the strongly rounded front windshield and the A-pillars set further to the rear are designed to create a contemporary interpretation of a classic GT car.

The Evos Concept’s hinged gullwing-style doors, both front and rear, make a strong styling statement and provide easy access to the four-seat cabin.

What are your thoughts on the Evos Concept. Is Ford heading in the right direction?